Conte Calls Second Half Performance Against Leeds Is The Evidence Of Tottenham's Character

Antonio Conte (Twitter @SpursOfficial)

JAKARTA - Antonio Conte believes that Tottenham Hotspur players have proven their character through their second-half appearance against Leeds United. They came back to win 2-1 over their visitors in London on Sunday local time.

"It means this team has character, personality. If you do something like that after being overwhelmed in the first half, it means the players have character," Conte said after the match as quoted by Tottenham's official website.

Tottenham were in terrible form throughout the first half and trailed 1-0 to Daniel James' goal one minute before half-time after not having had a shot on target at all.

“This team has character and personality.” 💬

Antonio Conte on today's victory... pic.twitter.com/oGMLpq8NRB

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 21, 2021

The performance turned 180 degrees when Harry Kane forced Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier to clear the ball at the near post less than a minute after the second half began.

Then, the crossbar again thwarted Tottenham's chances through Son Heung-min before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg managed to equalize with his goal.

The momentum continued with the winning goal scored by Sergio Reguilon who swiftly snatched a wild ball from Eric Dier's free kick that bounced off the post.

"I'm happy because I think that between the first and second half I found the right words, changed tactics, and also found the right advice for the players," Conte said.

"Because in a situation like that shouting is not the right choice, but a good conversation to show confidence because I trust the players and they know that."

It was Tottenham's first Premier League win since being coached by Conte earlier this month and move up to seventh in the table with 19 points.

Conte hopes this positive momentum continues when Tottenham flies to Slovenia to face Mura to increase their chances of qualifying from the group stage of the Conference League this Thursday.